| Administrative History | William Clark Souter was born in Perth, 24 February 1880, a son of Alexander Souter, hatter and clothier. He graduated with first class honours from the University of Aberdeen, MB ChB 1903, MD 1906 and following a period of postgraduate work at Moorfields, gained the Diploma in Ophthalmology from Oxford University, 1919. After further clinical work experience at the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, he was appointed to the staff of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he remained until his retirement in 1946. He was also surgeon to the Aberdeen Eye Institution, ophthalmic surgeon to the Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and lecturer in ophthalmology in the University of Aberdeen. His published papers include work on uveoparotid fever and auto-eversion of the upper lids.
Souter was a member of the British Medical Association for over 45 years, in whose Section of Ophthalmology he served variously as honorary secretary, vice president and president. He was awarded the Association's Middlemore prize in 1917 and a scientific grant three years later. His membership of Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society spanned over 50 years, including a period as president, 1923 - 1933, and election as an honorary member in 1958.
Shortly after his graduation from the University of Aberdeen and at the request of Sir Alexander Ogston, Souter had been appointed ship's surgeon on the Terra Nova relief expedition to the Antarctic, 1903 - 1904. For his service here, he became one of the first recipients of the Polar Medal, instituted in 1904 for members of Captain Scott's first expedition to the Antarctic.
He married Caroline Hunter, daughter of Alexander Wilson, advocate, Aberdeen, and had four children, two of whom also trained as doctors. His eldest brother, Alexander Souter, was Professor of Humanity in the University of Aberdeen and their youngest brother, John B. Souter was an artist and portrait painter.
For further details see obituary in 'Aberdeen University Review', 38 (1959) pp 208 - 209. |